The Rings of Power is not out and about in the world! After seeing the first two episodes, I have been able to exhale, knowing the show isn’t going to be the nightmare many of us Tolkien Heads feared. It was surprisingly good. In this live-streamed episode, Nick Polk and I were joined by singer, poet, and connoisseur of fantasies, Kevin Max.
Kevin is a four-time Grammy-winning vocalist, whose work began in DC Talk and has since explored a host of different genres from spoken-word, electronica, and rock. On his previous visit to the podcast, we discussed his most recent rock band – the Sad Astronauts. Great album! Don’t forget to check out his current Kickstarter. Each supporter gets a digital download of his collection of fantasy songs, including The Greatest Adventure from the Hobbit.
Want to access the most zest lectures from the Tolkien Heads class? Head over here and join up.

 
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Kevin Max & the Rings of Power #TolkienHeads

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Each episode features an extended interview with a different scholar from a variety of perspectives. Enjoy.

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Philip Clayton was my PhD advisor and remains a mentor and friend. We scheduled a live stream session where we planned to explore contemporary options for the doctrine of God by developing a typology of live options, but when we learned of Moltmann’s passing, it seemed fitting to pivot our plan and reflect on the life, thought, and impact of Moltmann for Christian Theology.

As a scholar, Philip Clayton (Ingraham Professor, Claremont School of Theology) works at the intersection of science, philosophy, and theology. As an activist (president of EcoCiv.org, President of IPDC), he works to convene, facilitate, and catalyze multi-sectoral initiatives toward ecological civilization. As a disciple of Jesus, he finds himself energized by the Spirit in the Quaker community.
Previous Podcast Convos w/ Philip Clayton

The Christology Ladder
Christ, Christmas, & the Incarnation
How to Think Theologically
On the Meaning of Life
on the Mindfulness of Nature
The Theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg w/ Philip Clayton
Finding God in Everyone and Everywhere w/ Philip Clayton and Andrew Davis
Can a process theologian be an Evangelical & other questions with Philip Clayton
The #GodDebacle w/ Philip Clayton and LeRon Shults
Philip Clayton on the Shape of Postmodern Theology
Party Time with Philip Clayton for “The Predicament of Belief”
Bootlegged Christianity with Philip Clayton, Jack Caputo, Bill Mallonee, Peter Rollins, & Jay Bakker
Philip Clayton on The Resurrection, Trinity, Eschatology & the Predicament of Belief
Coming to Jesus with Daniel Kirk & Philip Clayton

 






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Celebrating the Life, Legacy, and Thought of Jürgen Moltmann w/ Philip Clayton

Practical Theologian and friend of the pod, Andrew Root, is back on the podcast to discuss the most contentious parts of his newest book Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms. Our conversation delves deep into some tenuous topics: secular mysticisms, identity politics, spiritual memoirs, the politics of recognition, Rousseau’s anthropology, post-COVID parties in Paris, the modern moral order, JK Rowlings, tribal politics, and the intersections of practical theology with contemporary social and cultural philosophy. So, buckle your safety belts because this will be a provocative journey.
Join us for the online Bonhoeffer Salon! You can sign up here.
You can also join us ONLINE or at Princeton Theological Seminary for The Church, The Pastor, And Resonance In An Accelerated Age Theological Conversations With Hartmut Rosa.

Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations.  Some of his most recent books are The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), The End of Youth Ministry? (Baker, 2020), The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019), Faith Formation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2017), and Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Fortress Press, 2018).  Andy has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies.
Previous Visits with Andy Root

the Church after Innovation
Churches and the Crisis of Decline
Acceleration, Resonance, & the Counting Crows
Ministry in a Secular Age
Christopraxis with Andy Root
Faith Formation in a Secular Age
the Promise of Despair


Andrew Root: Secular Mysticism & Identity Politics

Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood, authors of Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism, joined me for a live-streamed conversation where we discussed the book and a bunch of listener questions inspired by their recent lectures linked below.
Lecture One: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism
Lecture Two: How Mainline Protestants Still Perpetuate Christian Nationalism
In the face of a rising threat to both church and democracy, “Baptizing America” provides an urgent examination and an enlightening critique exposing the dangerous undercurrents of Christian Nationalism. How can Mainline Protestants spot such practices in their own activities? A crucial call to reckon with influences before it’s too late.
Brian Kaylor is a Baptist pastor with a Ph.D in Political Communication. He serves as President & Editor-in-Chief of Word&Way;, a Christian publication founded in 1896.
Beau Underwood is senior minister at Allisonville Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a Senior Editor with Word&Way;. He is also pursuing a doctorate in Public Affairs. Adriene Thorne is the senior pastor of The Riverside Church in New York City.




Join us at Theology Beer Camp October 17-19, 2024!


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Faith in the Public Square with Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood

In this episode, Tripp is joined by Dr. Benjamin Chikca. They delve into the intriguing intersection of theology, ethics, and video games, spotlighting Chicka’s book, ‘Playing as Others: Theology and Ethical Responsibility in Video Games.’ The discussion spans topics such as the impact of cultural and ethical narratives within indie video games, the relevance of figures like Paul Tillich and Emmanuel Levinas, and the evolving representation of diversity in gaming. In the conversation, we discuss:

Exploring the Intersection of Theology, Ethics, and Video Games
The Genesis of his book,”Playing as Others”
The Real-Life Impacts of Video Game Culture
Gamergate and its Aftermath
Embracing Culture Through Video Games
Humanizing the Other Through Video Games
Papers, Please – An Ethical Playground
The Neuroscience of Gaming and Ethical Transformation
The Power of Immersive Storytelling
Cultural Anxiety Manifested in Video Games
Real-Life Impacts and Community Building



Benjamin J. Chicka is Lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies at Curry College in Milton, MA. He is a philosophical theologian whose work connects classical American pragmatism, process theology, and ground-of-being theology. Such bridge-building between supposedly incompatible positions reflects his conviction that intrareligious pluralism is as important as interreligious pluralism for the future of theology.




Join us at Theology Beer Camp October 17-19, 2024!


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Benjamin Chicka: Theology & Video Games

Tripp & Diana were pumped to have Tim Whitaker from The New Evangelicals join us for this edition of Ruining Dinner and our upcoming open online class – Faith and Politics for the Rest of Us. Our contemporary public square is increasingly chaotic, toxic, and repulsive. Yet, our challenges as a people, nation, and species are growing. The rise of Christian Nationalism repulses a growing number of Christians who have a hard time thinking and speaking from a more vibrant theological vision. We are bringing together several alternative theo-political visions to introduce a multiplicity of vibrant, yet neglected traditions in public theology. With the help of some of the most powerful voices in the academy, participants will be introduced to these traditions and get to put them into action as we wrestle with our present moment, discovering the potential for an alternative public Christian witness. In a time where the public square is increasingly tribal and algorithmically addicted to outrage, over-simplification, and performative politics, a tour of these rich yet neglected theological traditions can inspire and fund a more vibrant Christian voice in the public square as we seek to embody the love of neighbor to which we are called. This class is donation based (including 0), so join the fun and tell your friends:) www.FaithAndPolitics.net
Come hang out with us at Theology Beer Camp, Oct. 17-19 in Denver. Yse the code HOBBITCOTTAGE for a discount <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f642.png" alt="

Kevin Max & the Rings of Power #TolkienHeads

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